This is a place to share issues, useful and helpful information regarding healthy communities - what are some of the community programs that are helping our people address these issues, both on-reserve and in the towns and cities? Traditional and Contemporary solutions?

Health18. We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial, andAboriginal governments to acknowledge that the currentstate of Aboriginal health in Canada is a direct resultof previous Canadian government policies, includingresidential schools, and to recognize and implementthe health-care rights of Aboriginal people as identifiedin international law, constitutional law, and under theTreaties.19. We call upon the federal government, in consultationwith Aboriginal peoples, to establish measurable goalsto identify and close the gaps in health outcomesbetween Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities,and to publish annual progress reports and assess longtermtrends. Such efforts would focus on indicators suchas: infant mortality, maternal health, suicide, mentalhealth, addictions, life expectancy, birth rates, infantand child health issues, chronic diseases, illness andinjury incidence, and the availability of appropriatehealth services.20. In order to address the jurisdictional disputesconcerning Aboriginal people who do not reside onreserves, we call upon the federal government torecognize, respect, and address the distinct health needsof the Métis, Inuit, and off-reserve Aboriginal peoples.21. We call upon the federal government to providesustainable funding for existing and new Aboriginalhealing centres to address the physical, mental,emotional, and spiritual harms caused by residentialschools, and to ensure that the funding of healingcentres in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories is apriority.22. We call upon those who can effect change within theCanadian health-care system to recognize the valueof Aboriginal healing practices and use them in thetreatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration withAboriginal healers and Elders where requested byAboriginal patients.23. We call upon all levels of government to:i. Increase the number of Aboriginal professionalsworking in the health-care field.ii. Ensure the retention of Aboriginal health-careproviders in Aboriginal communities.iii. Provide cultural competency training for all healthcareprofessionals.24. We call upon medical and nursing schools in Canadato require all students to take a course dealing withAboriginal health issues, including the history andlegacy of residential schools, the United NationsDeclaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treatiesand Aboriginal rights, and Indigenous teachings andpractices. This will require skills-based training inintercultural competency, conflict resolution, humanrights, and anti-racism.